U.S. patent application number 14/495943 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-02 for image formation apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Oki Data Corporation. Invention is credited to Masayuki MATSUNAGA.
Application Number | 20150092220 14/495943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52739866 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150092220 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATSUNAGA; Masayuki |
April 2, 2015 |
IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS
Abstract
An image formation apparatus includes: a platen on which to
place a document; a scanner unit configured to scan the document
placed on the platen; a document detection unit configured to
detect the document placed on the platen; an authentication
information input unit configured to receive input of a piece of
first authentication information; and a control unit configured,
when the document detection unit detects the document before use of
the image formation is permitted on the basis of the piece of first
authentication information received by the authentication
information input unit, to cause the scanner unit to start to scan
the document in accordance with a predetermined scan condition if
the use is permitted on the basis of the piece of first
authentication information received by the authentication
information input unit.
Inventors: |
MATSUNAGA; Masayuki; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Oki Data Corporation |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
52739866 |
Appl. No.: |
14/495943 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/3205 20130101;
G06F 21/608 20130101; H04N 1/00055 20130101; H04N 1/00689 20130101;
G06F 21/31 20130101; H04N 1/4433 20130101; G06K 15/4095 20130101;
H04N 2201/0094 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.14 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/44 20060101
H04N001/44; G06K 15/00 20060101 G06K015/00; H04N 1/00 20060101
H04N001/00; G06F 21/31 20060101 G06F021/31 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2013 |
JP |
2013-201010 |
Claims
1. An image formation apparatus comprising: a platen on which to
place a document; a scanner unit configured to scan the document
placed on the platen; a document detection unit configured to
detect the document placed on the platen; an authentication
information input unit configured to receive input of a piece of
first authentication information; and a control unit configured,
when the document detection unit detects the document before use of
the image formation is permitted on the basis of the piece of first
authentication information received by the authentication
information input unit, to cause the scanner unit to start to scan
the document in accordance with a predetermined scan condition if
the use is permitted on the basis of the piece of first
authentication information received by the authentication
information input unit.
2. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a storage unit configured to store, pieces of second
authentication information preset respectively for users for user
identification, and scan conditions preset respectively for the
pieces of second authentication information, wherein, when the
authentication information input unit receives the piece of first
authentication information and when one of the pieces of second
authentication information stored in the storage unit corresponds
to the piece of first authentication information and the document
detection unit detects the document, the control unit causes the
scanner unit to start to scan the document in accordance with the
scan condition preset for the piece of second authentication
information corresponding to the piece of first authentication
information.
3. The image formation apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising an operation unit configured to receive a input by a
user, wherein, when the authentication information input unit
receives the piece of first authentication information and when one
of the pieces of second authentication information stored in the
storage unit corresponds to the piece of first authentication
information and the document detection unit detects no document,
the control unit causes the scanner unit to suspend starting to
scan the document, and causes the operation unit to receive an
input for changing the scan condition.
4. The image formation apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising a display unit configured to display a setting change
screen for receiving an input for changing the scan condition,
wherein, when the authentication information input unit receives
the piece of first authentication information and when one of the
pieces of second authentication information stored in the storage
unit corresponds to the piece of first authentication information
and the document detection unit detects no document, the control
unit causes the display unit to display the setting change
screen.
5. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising an operation unit configured to receive an input by a
user, wherein, before the scanner unit starts to scan the document,
the control unit causes the operation unit to receive an input for
changing the scan condition until a first predetermined time is
passed since the authentication information input unit inputs the
piece of first authentication information and the document
detection unit detects the document.
6. The image formation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein,
when input of an instruction to start scanning is received after
the scan conditions are changed, the control unit causes the
scanner unit to start to scan the document in accordance the
changed scan condition.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, when
the authentication information input unit inputs the piece of first
authentication information and when one of the pieces of second
authentication information stored in the storage unit corresponds
to the piece of first authentication information and the document
detection unit detects the document, the control unit causes the
operation unit to receive an input for cancelling an output of an
image of the document scanned by the scanner unit until a second
predetermined time is passed since the scanner unit starts to scan
the document, and when the authentication information input unit
inputs the piece of first authentication information and when one
of the pieces of second authentication information stored in the
storage unit corresponds to the piece of first authentication
information and the document detection unit detects no document,
the control unit causes the operation unit to receive the input for
cancelling the output of the image of the document scanned by the
scanner unit until a third predetermined time is passed since the
scanner unit starts to scan the document.
8. The image formation apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
second predetermined time is longer than the third predetermined
time.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority based on 35 USC 119 from
prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-201010 filed on Sep. 27,
2013, entitled "IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS", the entire contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This disclosure relates to an image formation apparatus
configured to scan an image on a document.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] A conventional image formation apparatus is designed to take
a reservation for its use from an external apparatus connected to
it through a network, and to automatically switch to a reserved
mode when the image formation apparatus becomes available. The
image formation apparatus allows detailed use conditions to be set
at the time of the reservation for its use, and can form an image
in response to just a simple input without requiring the detailed
conditions to be set through its operation section (see Japanese
Patent Application Publication No. 2011-41129, for example).
[0006] The conventional image formation apparatus is further
designed to authenticate a user by reading user identification
information for identifying the user from the operation section or
a card reader and thereby to permit the use by the authenticated
user. For example, in a case where the user intends to duplicate a
document by making a reservation on the image formation apparatus
for a copy operation of scanning and duplicating the document fed
from an automatic document feeder (ADF), the user makes the
reservation for its use by inputting user identification
information and use conditions through the external apparatus, and
then goes to the image formation apparatus. Next, the user places
the document in the ADF of the image formation apparatus, then is
authenticated by inputting the user identification information, and
then duplicates the document by pressing the copy execution start
button.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The conventional technique, however, poses a problem of low
user friendliness, since the image formation apparatus requires the
user to press the start button although the apparatus is ready to
duplicate the document once it completes the user authentication
after the user beforehand sets the use conditions by manipulating
the external apparatus and places the document in the ADF.
[0008] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to enhance
the user friendliness.
[0009] An aspect of the invention is an image formation apparatus
that includes: a platen on which to place a document; a scanner
unit configured to scan the document placed on the platen; a
document detection unit configured to detect the document placed on
the platen; an authentication information input unit configured to
receive input of a piece of first authentication information; and a
control unit configured, when the document detection unit detects
the document before use of the image formation is permitted on the
basis of the piece of first authentication information received by
the authentication information input unit, to cause the scanner
unit to start to scan the document in accordance with a
predetermined scan condition if the use is permitted on the basis
of the piece of first authentication information received by the
authentication information input unit.
[0010] According to this aspect of the invention, the user
friendliness can be enhanced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
image formation apparatus of an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a scan instruction list
of the embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of a scan
instruction list storage process of the embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of a scan
process of the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Descriptions are provided hereinbelow for embodiments based
on the drawings. In the respective drawings referenced herein, the
same constituents are designated by the same reference numerals and
duplicate explanation concerning the same constituents is omitted.
All of the drawings are provided to illustrate the respective
examples only.
[0016] Referring to the drawings, descriptions will be provided for
an image formation apparatus of an embodiment of the invention.
Embodiment
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of
the image formation apparatus of the embodiment. In FIG. 1, image
formation apparatus 1 is a multifunction peripheral, for example.
Image formation apparatus 1 includes display operation unit 2, IC
card reader unit 3, authentication unit 4, storage unit 5, control
unit 8, scan instruction management unit 9, document scanner unit
10, printer unit 12, FAX unit 13, image transfer unit 14 and
communications unit 15. Image formation apparatus 1 is communicably
connected to information processor apparatus 20, such as a host
computer, through communications line 40.
[0018] Display operation unit 2 is a user interface, such as a
touch panel, including: an operation section for accepting the
user's input; and a display section for displaying screens such as
a function selector screen, and a setting changer screen for
accepting the user's input for changing scan conditions from
default or previously set scan conditions. Display operation unit 2
causes screens, such as the function selector screen and the
setting changer screen, to be displayed in the display section, as
well as accepts the user's input for setting changes via the
operation section, and informs control unit 8 of the setting
changes. IC card reader unit 3 or an authentication input unit is
an IC card reader in this embodiment. Once an IC card is put on or
over the IC card reader, IC card reader unit 3 reads and inputs
user identification information, as authentication information
(first authentication information), stored in the IC card for
identifying the user. The user identification information is
information for identifying the user who is authorized to use image
formation apparatus 1, and is used as an ID or the like assigned to
each person.
[0019] Authentication unit 4 compares the authentication
information (first authentication information) read by IC card
reader unit 3 with pieces of authentication information (second
authentication information) which are beforehand stored in
authentication information list 6 stored in storage unit 5, and
makes a determination whether or not the user is authorized to use
image formation apparatus 1. If the authentication information
(first authentication information) read by IC card reader unit 3
matches one of the pieces of authentication information (second
authentication information) which are beforehand stored in
authentication information list 6 stored in storage unit 5,
authentication unit 4 determines that the person is successfully
authenticated. If there is not a match, authentication unit 4
determines that the person fails to be authenticated. The described
embodiment is one in which the authentication is performed to
determine if the user is authorized to use image formation
apparatus 1. It should be noted, however, that the authentication
of whether or not the user is authorized may also be instead
performed by an external apparatus such as an authentication server
connected to image formation apparatus 1 through the communications
line. It should be also noted that two or more different users may
use a same user identification information, that is, two or more
different users may be registered under a same piece of
authentication information (second authentication information)
preset in authentication information list 6.
[0020] Storage unit 5 is formed from a non-volatile storage medium.
Storage unit 5 stores, among other things, various setting
information on image formation apparatus 1's operations such as
settings for the operation of scanning a document, and for the
operation of outputting image data on the scanned document; and
threshold values used for image formation apparatus 1's control. In
the embodiment, storage unit 5 stores: authentication information
list 6 used by authentication unit 4 to authenticate whether or not
the user is an authorized person; and scan instruction list 7 for
storing a scan instruction which is received from information
processor apparatus 20 via communications unit 15. Storage unit 5
further stores a control program (software) for controlling the
entire actions of image formation apparatus 1. Document scanner
unit 10 includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and is
configured to scan a document placed in a manual feed tray as a
platen of the ADF. Document scanner unit 10 scans information
printed on the document while conveying the document placed on the
ADF, and thereby acquires the information as image data.
[0021] Document scanner unit 10 includes document detection unit
11. Document detection unit 11 detects a document placed on the
platen. Using a document detection sensor provided to the ADF,
document detection unit 11 detects the placement of the document in
the ADF manual feed tray, and does so by constantly monitoring the
document detection sensor such as a document detection switch
configured to detect whether or not the document is placed in the
ADF manual feed tray. Document detection unit 11 sends control unit
8 document presence/absence information on whether or not the
document is in the ADF manual feed tray. In accordance with an
instruction from control unit 8, document scanner unit 10 transfers
the acquired image data on the document to printer unit 12, FAX
unit 13 and image transfer unit 14.
[0022] Printer unit 12 forms an image on a print sheet as a medium
on the basis of the image data received from document scanner unit
10. FAX unit 13 faxes the image data received from document scanner
unit 10 to another apparatus via a public network. Image transfer
unit 14 sends the image data received from document scanner unit 10
to an address specified by control unit 8 via communications unit
15. Communications unit 15 is a communications interface configured
to send and receive information to and from an external apparatus
and an external terminal via communications lines 40. In the
embodiment, communications unit 15 sends scan instruction
management unit 9 the scan instruction which is received from
information processor apparatus 20 via communications lines 40.
Communications unit 15 also sends to information processor unit 20,
to the external apparatus, and to the external terminal and the
like the image data which is sent from image transfer unit 14.
[0023] Control unit 8 contains a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
and/or the like, and controls the entire actions of image formation
apparatus 1 on the basis of the control program stored in storage
unit 5. Based on the scan instruction received from scan
instruction management unit 9 and the document presence/absence
information received from document detection unit 11, control unit
8 instructs document scanner unit 10 whether or not to start to
scan the document. Control unit 8 further causes display operation
unit 2 to display a scan setting screen to allow the user to input
document scan setting information. In addition, control unit 8
causes printer unit 12, FAX unit 13 and image transfer unit 14 to
process the image data on the document acquired by document scanner
unit 10. Here, control unit 8 includes a timer as a time measuring
device configured to measure the passage of time.
[0024] Once requested by control unit 8 to acquire scan conditions
on the basis of the authentication information, scan instruction
management unit 9 searches scan instruction list 7 for a scan
instruction which matches the authentication information. If such a
scan instruction is in scan instruction list 7, scan instruction
management unit 9 informs control unit 8 of the scan conditions
included in the scan instruction, and deletes the scan instruction
from scan instruction list 7. On the other hand, if no scan
instruction matching the authentication information is in scan
instruction list 7, scan instruction management unit 9 informs
control unit 8 of the absence of the scan conditions. In addition,
scan instruction management unit 9 stores the scan instruction,
received from information processor unit 20 via communications unit
15, in scan instruction list 7.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a scan instruction list
of the embodiment. In FIG. 2, each scan instruction in scan
instruction list 7 is formed from authentication information 71 and
scan conditions 72. The scan instruction is associated with
authentication information 71 and scan conditions 72, and is stored
in the scan instruction list. Authentication information 71 is
information used to identify the user. Scan conditions 72 are
conditions for scanning a document, and include at least the
function, resolution and a choice of two printing modes.
[0026] Here, referring to FIG. 1, descriptions are provided for the
function. The function is an item used to uniquely identify how the
image data scanned by document scanner unit 10 needs to be
processed. The function includes: a "Copy" function in which
printer unit 12 makes a copy on a medium on the basis of the image
data scanned by document scanner unit 10; a "NWScan" (NewWork Scan)
function in which image transfer unit 14 sends the image data
scanned by document scanner unit 10 to a specified destination; and
a "ScanToFax" function (not shown) in which Fax unit 13 faxes the
image data scanned by the document scanner unit 10 to a specified
destination, and the like. In addition, the resolution is an item
used to identify resolution (for example, 600 dpi (dots per inch))
with which document scanner unit 10 scans the image. Furthermore,
the choice of the two printing modes is an item used to identify a
single-sided printing mode in which document scanner unit 10 scans
an image from one side of each original or a double-sided printing
mode in which document scanner unit 10 scans images from the
respective two sides of each original. Scan instruction list 7 is
formed from multiple scan instructions including scan instruction A
and scan instruction B, for example.
[0027] Descriptions are provided for how the configuration works.
First of all, referring to FIG. 1, a scan instruction list storage
process for the image formation apparatus to store the scan
instruction in the scan instruction list is described by the
following steps which are each denoted by a reference sign starting
with S in a flowchart in FIG. 3 illustrating the sequence of the
scan instruction list storage process of the embodiment.
[0028] S1: Communications unit 15 of image formation apparatus 1
receives the scan instruction sent from information processor
apparatus 20 via communications line 40.
[0029] S2: Communications unit 15 sends the received scan
instruction to scan instruction management unit 9. Scan instruction
management unit 9 adds the received scan instruction to scan
instruction list 7 stored in storage unit 5, then terminates the
process. In this manner, the scan instruction including the scan
conditions requested by the user is sent from information processor
apparatus 20, and is stored in scan instruction list 7 in image
formation apparatus 1.
[0030] Next, referring to FIG. 1, a document scan process to be
performed by the image formation apparatus is described by the
following steps which are each denoted by a reference sign starting
with S in a flowchart in FIG. 4 illustrating the sequence of the
scan process of the embodiment. It should be noted that the scan
process is a process to read the IC card by IC card reader unit 3,
then to scan the document by the document scanner unit 10, and to
output the image data on the scanned document by printer unit 12,
FAX unit 13 or image transfer unit 14.
[0031] S21: IC card reader unit 3 of image formation apparatus 1
reads the authentication information from the IC card when the IC
card is brought close to IC card reader unit 3.
[0032] S22: Once IC card reader unit 3 reads the authentication
information from the IC card, authentication unit 4 performs an
authentication process of: searching authentication information
list 6 on the basis of the authentication information read by the
IC card reader unit 3; and judging whether or not authentication
information matching the authentication information read by IC card
reader unit 3 is in authentication information list 6.
[0033] S23: If authentication unit 4 judges that the authentication
information matching the authentication information read by IC card
reader unit 3 is in authentication information list 6,
authentication unit 4 treats the authentication as successful, and
the sequence proceeds to S24. If authentication unit 4 judges that
no authentication information matching the authentication
information read by IC card reader unit 3 is in authentication
information list 6, authentication unit 4 treats the authentication
as failed, and terminates the process.
[0034] S24: Once authentication unit 4 judges that the
authentication is successful, authentication unit 4 sends control
unit 8 information on the successful authentication together with
the authentication information. Upon reception of the information
on the successful authentication, control unit 8 requests scan
instruction management unit 9 to acquire the scan conditions by
specifying the received authentication information. Based on the
specified authentication information, scan instruction management
unit 9 searches scan instruction list 7, and searches scan
instruction list 7 for a scan instruction associated with the
authentication information matching the specified authentication
information.
[0035] S25: Scan instruction management unit 9 judges whether or
not there is a scan instruction associated with the authentication
information matching the specified authentication information. If
scan instruction management unit 9 judges the presence of the scan
instruction, scan instruction management unit 9 extracts the scan
conditions included in the scan instruction from scan instruction
list 7, sends the extracted scan conditions to control unit 8, and
the sequence proceeds to S26. On the other hand, if scan
instruction management unit 9 judges that there is no scan
instruction associated with the authentication information matching
the specified authentication information, scan instruction
measurement unit 9 sends information on the absence of the scan
instruction to control unit 8, and the sequence proceeds to S44. It
should be noted that after extracting the scan instruction from
scan instruction list 7, scan instruction management unit 9 deletes
the extracted scan instruction from scan instruction list 7.
[0036] S26: Once control unit 8 acquires the scan conditions from
scan instruction management unit 9, control unit 8 asks document
detection unit 11 whether or not the document is in the ADF. Using
the document detection sensor, document detection unit 11 checks
whether or not the document is in the ADF.
[0037] S27: If document detection unit 11 judges that the document
is in the ADF, document detection unit 11 informs control unit 8 of
the presence of the document, and the sequence proceeds to S28. If
document detection unit 11 judges that no document is in the ADF,
document detection unit 11 informs control unit 8 of the absence of
the document, and the sequence proceeds to S36. In this respect,
upon reception of the information on the presence of the document
in the ADF, control unit 8 starts to measure passage of time.
[0038] S28: If display operation unit 2 receives an input on a menu
screen or the like for an instruction to change the setting of the
scan conditions, the sequence proceeds to S31 in order to display
the setting screen (scan conditions). If display operation unit 2
receives no input for the instruction to change the setting of the
scan conditions, the sequence proceeds to S29.
[0039] S29: If display operation unit 2 receives an input on a
start button or the like for an instruction to start scanning, the
sequence proceeds to S38 in order to start to scan the document. If
display operation unit 2 receives no input for the instruction to
start scanning, the sequence proceeds to S30.
[0040] S30: Control unit 8 judges whether or not time passed since
the reception of the information of the presence of the document in
the ADF in S27 exceeds a scan condition change margin time T1 as
first predetermined time. If control unit 8 judges that the passed
time exceeds the scan condition change margin time T1, the sequence
proceeds to S32 in order to start to scan the document. If control
unit 8 judges that the passed time does not exceed the scan
condition change margin time T1, the sequence proceeds to S28 in
order to monitor the input for the instruction to change the
setting of the scan conditions and the input, such as the pressing
of the start button, for the instruction to start scanning.
[0041] As described above, before document scanner unit 10 starts
to scan the document, control unit 8 receives the input on display
operation unit 2 for changing the scan conditions until scan
condition change margin time T1 as the first predetermined time
passes since the input of the authentication information by IC card
reader unit 3 and the detection of the document by document
detection unit 11. It should be noted that the scan condition
change margin time T1 can be changed using the setting screen
displayed on display operation unit 2, and is stored in storage
unit 5.
[0042] S31: Once display operation unit 2 receives the input for
the instruction to change the setting of the scan conditions,
control unit 8 informs display operation unit 2 of an instruction
to display a scan setting screen in accordance with the scan
conditions acquired from scan instruction management unit 9.
Display operation unit 2 displays the scan setting screen on the
display section in accordance with the received instruction, and
the sequence proceeds to S43. For example, in a case where scanning
conditions included in scan instruction A illustrated in FIG. 2 are
displayed on the scan setting screen, items "Function=NWScan,"
"Resolution=200 dpi," "Choice from two printing
modes=Single-sided," and "Destination=192.168.1.7 (IP address)" are
displayed there.
[0043] S32 Control unit 8 informs document scanner unit 10 of an
instruction to start to scan the document in accordance with the
scan conditions which are included in the scan instruction
extracted from scan instruction list 7. Upon reception of the
instruction to start to scan the document, document scanner unit 10
starts to scan the document in accordance with the scan conditions.
In this respect, simultaneously with informing document scanner
unit 10 of the instruction to scan the document, control unit 8
starts to measure the passage of time. In this manner, when the
authentication information is inputted by IC card reader unit 3,
control unit 8 causes document scanner unit 10 to start to scan the
document in accordance with scan conditions 72, which are included
in the scan instruction extracted on the basis of the
authentication information, without receiving the input for the
instruction to start scanning if the authentication information is
in the authentication information list 6 in storage unit 5 and the
document is detected by document detection unit 11 in document
scanner unit 10.
[0044] S33: If display operation unit 2 receives an input for an
instruction to cancel the output of the received document image,
display operation unit 2 cancels the output of the document image,
and terminates the process. If display operation unit 2 receives no
input for the instruction to cancel the output, the sequence
proceeds to S34.
[0045] S34: Control unit 8 judges whether or not the time passed
since the start of the document scanning in S32 exceeds output
cancellation margin time T2 as a second predetermined time. If
control unit 8 judges that the passed time exceeds output
cancellation margin time T2, the sequence proceeds to S35 in order
to output the scanned document image. If control unit judges that
the passed time does not exceed output cancellation margin time T2,
the sequence proceeds to S33 in order to monitor the input for
cancelling the output of the scanned document image.
[0046] S35: Once document scanner unit 10 completes scanning the
document, control unit 8 causes document scanner unit 10 to output
the image data on the document, which is acquired by document
scanner unit 10 in accordance with the scan conditions, to printer
unit 12, FAX unit 13 or image transfer unit 14, and terminates the
process.
[0047] S36: On the other hand, once control unit 8 is informed of
the information on the absence of the document in the ADF in S27,
control unit 8 informs display operation unit 2 of an instruction
to display a scan setting screen in accordance with the scan
conditions acquired from scan instruction management unit 9.
Display operation unit 2 displays the scan setting screen on the
display section in accordance with the received instruction. The
scan setting screen is the same as the scan setting screen
displayed in S31.
[0048] S37: If display operation unit 2 receives an input for an
instruction to start scanning, the sequence proceeds to S38 in
order to start to scan the document. If display operation unit 2
receives no instruction to start scanning, the sequence proceeds to
S42.
[0049] S38: Once display operation unit 2 receives a press of a
scan start instruction button, control unit 8 informs document
scanner unit 10 of an instruction to start to scan the document in
accordance with the changed scan conditions set through the scan
operation screen. Upon reception of the instruction to start to
scan the document, document scanner unit 10 starts to scan the
document in accordance with the scan conditions. In this respect,
simultaneously with informing document scanner unit 10 of the
instruction to start to scan the document, control unit 8 starts to
measure the passage of time.
[0050] S39: If display operation unit 2 receives the instruction to
cancel the output of the scanned document image, display operation
unit 2 cancels the output of the document image, and terminates the
process. If display operation unit 2 receives no instruction to
cancel the output, the sequence proceeds to S40.
[0051] S40: Control unit 8 judges whether or not the time passed
since the start of the document scanning in S38 exceeds output
suspension margin time T3 as a third predetermined time. If control
unit 8 judges that the passed time exceeds output suspension margin
time T3, the sequence proceeds to S41 in order to output the
scanned document image. If control unit 8 judges that the passed
time does not exceed the output suspension margin time T3, the
sequence proceeds to S39 in order to monitor the input for
cancelling the output of the scanned document image. It should be
noted that output suspension margin times T2, T3 can be changed
through the setting screen displayed on display operation unit 2,
and are stored in storage unit 5.
[0052] In the embodiment, output suspension margin times T2, T3 are
set at, for example, 5 seconds and 2 seconds, respectively. Output
suspension margin time T2 is set longer than output suspension
margin time T3, and is beforehand stored in storage unit 5. Their
initial values have a relationship of output suspension margin time
T3<output suspension margin time T2.
[0053] S41: Once document scanner unit 10 completes scanning the
document, control unit 8 causes document scanner unit 10 to output
the image data on the document, acquired by the document scanner
unit 10 in accordance with the scan conditions, to printer unit 12,
FAX unit 13 or image transfer unit 14, and terminates the
process.
[0054] S42: On the other hand, if the scan start instruction button
is not pressed in S37, and if display operation unit 2 receives the
input for the instruction to change the setting of the scan
conditions, the sequence proceeds to S43 in order to change the
scan conditions. If display operation unit 2 receives no input for
the instruction to change the setting of the scan conditions, the
sequence proceeds to S37, where display operation unit 2 keeps on
displaying the scan setting screen. In this manner, control unit 8
causes display operation unit 2 to display the setting change
screen, and to receive the input for changing the scan conditions,
if, when the authentication information is inputted by IC card
reader unit 3, the authentication information is in authentication
information list 6 in storage unit 5, and no document is detected
by document detection unit 11 in document scanner unit 10.
[0055] S43: Upon reception of the input for the instruction to
change the setting of the scan conditions, display operation unit 2
informs control unit 8 of the contents of the change in the scan
conditions received through the setting change screen, and control
unit 8 thereby changes the setting of the scan conditions in
accordance with the received contents of the change in the scan
conditions. Control unit 8 causes display operation unit 2 to
display a scan setting screen in accordance with the changed scan
conditions, and the sequence proceeds to S37.
[0056] S44: Upon reception of the information on the absence of the
scan instruction associated with the authentication information
which matches the authentication information specified by scan
instruction management unit 9 in S25, control unit 8 causes display
operation unit 2 to display the function selector screen for
receiving an input for selecting functions such as the NWScan
function, the Copy function and the ScanToFax function.
[0057] S45: If a function is selected on the function selector
screen, display operation unit 2 informs control unit 8 of the
selected function, and the sequence proceeds to S36, where control
unit 8 causes display unit 2 to display a scan setting screen
corresponding to the selected function. The scan conditions at this
time are formed from initial values, and the scan conditions on the
scan setting screen are represented by the initial values. On the
other hand, if no function is selected on the function selector
screen, the sequence proceeds to S44, where display operation unit
2 keeps on displaying the function selector screen.
[0058] As described above, in image formation apparatus 1 of the
embodiment, control unit 8 automatically starts the operation of
scanning the document in a case where: the authentication
information is inputted by IC card reader unit 3; the user is
successfully authenticated by authentication unit 4 to be an
authorized person; and document detection unit 11 in document
scanner unit 10 detects the document to be placed in the ADF
document tray. For this reason, the user is no longer required to
input the instruction to start scanning. Accordingly, the operation
load on the user can be reduced, and the operability can be
enhanced for the user. Furthermore, control unit 8 enables the
setting of the scan conditions to be changed through display
operation unit 2 by suspending the automatic start of the operation
of scanning the document in a case where the user inputs the
authentication information through IC card reader unit 3 and is
successfully authenticated by authentication unit 4; and document
detection unit 11 in document scanner unit 10 detects no document
being placed in the ADF document tray.
[0059] It should be noted that messages such as "Document scanning
starts based on preset condition when authentication is completed
with document set in ADF document tray" may be displayed on display
operation unit 2 before image formation unit 1 starts the process
of scanning the document. As described above, the embodiment brings
about an effect that: the user is no longer required to input the
instruction to start scanning; operation load on the user is
reduced; and operability is enhanced for the user, since the
operation of scanning the document automatically starts with the
input of the authentication information, the successful user
authentication, and the detection of the document in the ADF
document tray.
[0060] The embodiment further brings about an effect of the
enhancement of the operability for the user since the setting of
the scan conditions can be changed by suspending the automatic
start of the operation of scanning the document on conditions of:
the input of the authentication information, the successful user
authentication, and the detection of no document in the ADF
document tray. The foregoing descriptions are provided for the
embodiment in which the image formation apparatus is a
multifunction peripheral. It should be noted, however, that: the
embodiment is not limited to this; and the image formation
apparatus may be a scanner machine, a facsimile machine and the
like as long as they are equipped with a document scanner unit.
[0061] The invention includes other embodiments in addition to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit of
the invention. The embodiments are to be considered in all respects
as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description. Hence, all configurations including the meaning and
range within equivalent arrangements of the claims are intended to
be embraced in the invention.
* * * * *